Transient behavior of simple RC circuits

I report on simulations of the evolution of surface charges, the retarded electric potential, and the electric field in a simple resistor–capacitor (RC) circuit and in an RC circuit with a switch. The circuits have high resistance, so radiation and inductive effects are not significant. The simulations illustrate nonquasistatic effects due to the finite speed of light, and should be useful in teaching students how circuits respond to changes.

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